Beltway Insider: March For Our Lives; France Attack; Russian Fire; UK/US Plan Russian Expulsion

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People of the world gathered in cities throughout the world united under one banner, one cause and one belief as the survivors of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School continue to build momentum for change.

According to Gallup, President Trump job approval, over the past week, increased by four percentage points to 40% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President decreased by four percentage points to 55%.

March For Our Lives Draws Millions Around the World

Celebrities, survivors, concerned citizens young and old gathered in cities around the world Saturday in what has become the largest nationwide response to a single school shooting in the ever growing epidemic of gun violence.

Organized by Parkland, Florida's, Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting survivors, Aclyn Corin, Emma González, David Hogg, Cameron Kasky and Alex Wind, the demonstration had birthed branch marches in eight major U.S. cities, four Canadian and nine European cities.

The five organizers appeared on the cover of Time Magazine two days before the March For Our Lives, the hashtag headline which has become the most common word used to symbolize the feelings of the nation, ENOUGH, amplified the mood of the nation and the world.

Taunted by the NRA, the National Rifle Association, who told Gonzales and Hogg no one would know their names if it weren't for gun violence, the pair continue the media blitz in preparation for Saturday's March never expecting the World would stand, united, also.


Beltway Insider: Trump Implodes; UK/Russia; Parkland Killer/Student WalkOut; Matt Damon; Stephen Hawking


Common sense gun reform has continue to simmer over the years until the people have reached a rolling boil which will not stop until the people, who in the United States, at least begin to vote out those who actively support the NRA and refuse to engage in a think tank of common sense gun control conversations until laws are passed modifying the current freedoms.

The survivors, who faced with undoubtedly is the most frightening and traumatic event in their lives identified with a new normal, the survivor activists who within hours of surviving the shooting went into fight mode and began to become the opposite of what experts would agree is the "right" response.

They have become the activists of a new generation. And their determination is contagious. The spirit reaches across party affiliations, gender, social-economic lines, it touches the disillusioned, inspires and stirs hope, awakening a national pride and a belief that all is not lost. Citizens from around the world want to be apart of the change they feel and believe is coming.

Blessed by the Pope

Pope Francis, who has always been somewhat controversial and outspoken on social issues, spoke words of encouragement to the youth of today.

"The temptation to silence young people has always existed. There are many ways to silence young people and make them invisible. Many ways to anesthetize them, to make them keep quiet, ask nothing, question nothing. There are many ways to sedate them, to keep them from getting involved, to make their dreams flat and dreary, petty and plaintive. It is up to you not to keep quiet. Even if others keep quiet, if we older people and leaders, some corrupt, keep quiet, if the whole world keeps quiet and loses its joy, I ask you: Will you cry out?," Pope Francis said, as reported in The Washington Post.

The Pope even took to his official Twitter account and added, "Dear young people, never tire of being instruments of peace and joy among your peers." @Pontifex.

The Torch is Passed

Yolanda Renee King, 9, the granddaughter of The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., who delivered his "I have a Dream" speech at the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 addressing the issues of segregation, civil rights and freedoms for all and the suppressive violence used against those who dare challenge the status quo was remembered on Saturday she spoke his same words echoing through the generations and again today in Washington, "I have a dream that enough is enough."

Emma Gonzlaes, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School bloodbath has become an instant global activist.

Her words electrified the local gun control rally three days after the February 14 slaughter. With a dogged determination she is unafraid to stand against establishments as they hurl insults and for this moment is wasn't her words that were deafening, it was the silence.

She stood for six minutes and 20 seconds silent, the exact time it took for seventeen students and staff members to be murdered. Quiet with tears streaming down her face, watching the seconds tick in remembrance of those seventeen and the 26, the 33, and the countless others who have died in senseless massacres.

Citizens of the World Join U.S. March

London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Madrid, Tokyo, Brisbane, Rome, Paris, Berlin, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa, children accompanying their parents seem to understand the gravity and need for their voice and participation.

Celebrities usually noted for commanding media kept low profiles deferring to the day and message. Kim and Kanye West brought their daughter, North, George and Amal Clooney were visiblly moved and spoke a few words to passing press on regaining a national pride and being inspired by the youth. Others like Amy Schumer spoke passionately in Los Angeles and still others showed support by attending rallies in Washington, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Concord, New Hampshire, and Miami.

In the London, Ella, 6, daughter of America from Georgia, now living in the U.K held a sign "I am six, read a sign held by a young girl, "So were they" with a list of Sandy Hook victims' names. A six year old American attending school in Spain carried a sign reading, "Your Right to Rifles, My Right To Life. Choose."

In Tokyo " We Stand With The Kids" in English and Chinese; In Rome students held signs, "Game Over NRA; No More; People Not Guns, and Never Again." In Paris a sign printed in elegant font read simply "Thank You Emma Gonzales."

Entertainment, Sports Bring High Profile Names to March

While it is not uncommon for celebrities to stand and protest, lending voice, time, talent and also finances to bring attention to social ills. No single issue outside of the early days of the AIDS epidemic has unified the entertainment industry in the effort to assist in forcing the issue to the forefront.

The New England Patriots loaned out the private team jet to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School organizers and contingency to ensure they were able to participate.

Paul McCartney, marched in New York City, just blocks from where his best friend, and fellow founding member of The Beatles, John Lennon, was gunned down by a deranged fan, December 8, 1980.

Singers Common, Andra Day, Miley Cyrus holding a Never Again sign and Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Platt, all performed in Washington D.C. Jennifer Hudson, sang the Bob Dylan 1960's anthem "The Times They Are a-Changin."

GOP Fails Again

The Republican party of late has undergone a odd transformation from bad to worse as the leader in charge is continually creating fires over his inability to control himself allowing his emotions to take over his social media postings often sparring with anyone and everyone. The president's social media regurgitation has seemed to grant permission to other career politicians to do the same.

Former PA presidential candidate Rick Santorum, explained to the Parkland students they should be learning CPR instead of protesting for "phony gun laws."

France Terrorist Attack Death Toll Increases

The death toll stands at three in Friday's Islamic State Supermarket attack as Lt. Col. Arnaud Beltrame, the police officer who exchanged himself for the release of a citizen and in turn was mortally wounded has died.

"Lt. Col. Arnaud Beltrame died in the service of the nation to which he had already contributed so much," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement. "By giving his life to end the murderous escapade of a jihadist terrorist, he died a hero," CNN reports.

Lt. Col Arnaud Beltrame, 45, a dedicated public servant who served in Iraq in 2005. His actions earned him recignition for his bravery and a promotion upon return to commander of the Republican guard which provides security for the President of France.

On Friday, an Islamic State terrorist, a lone wolf, stormed the Super U grocery store in Trebes and killed two immediately. The ISIS solider was determined to cause mass casualty and brought into the storm additional weapons and explosives. During the negotiations Beltrame, who had used the Supermarket scenario for a terror exercise, offered to exchange himself for a female hostage.

He had left his radio on so the anti-terror teams positioned outside would have a better understanding of the fluid situation. Upon entering the Supermarket the ISIS soldier shot him in the neck. Sixteen others, in the store were also injured.

Beltrame, at the time of his death was engaged with a June wedding planned. Hours before he passed away Saturday,, he and his finance were married.

"I bow to the courage, the sense of sacrifice and the exemplary nature of this officer who gave his life for the freedom of the hostages," the French National Police said on Twitter.

President Trump also took to twitter posting his condolences "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the horrible attack in France yesterday, and we grieve the nation's loss." 

UK, US Plan Expulsion of Russian Diplomats

President Donald Trump has spoken with both Prime Minister Theresa May and President Emmanuel Macron of France as the three allies determine the next course of action against Russian President Vladimir Putin over the nerve agent use.


UPDATED: Terrorist Shot Dead in France Supermarket Attack


With Trump and Macron reiterating their solidarity with the United Kingdom in the wake of Russia's use of chemical weapons against private citizens on British soil all agree on the need to take action and hold Russia accountable. 

President Trump has also stated he shares the United Kingdom's assessment that Russia is responsible for the reckless nerve agent attack on a British citizen and his daughter, and will support the United Kingdom's decision to expel Russian diplomats as a just response.

This latest action by Russia fits into a pattern of behavior in which Russia disregards the international rules-based order, undermines the sovereignty and security of countries worldwide, and attempts to subvert and discredit Western democratic institutions and processes. The United States is working together with our allies and partners to ensure that this kind of abhorrent attack does not happen again.

Russian Mall Fire Kills Dozens; Hundreds Missing

The death toll continues to rise passing 100, with hundreds missing, in a massive uncontrollable fire that broke out and moved quickly through a multi-purpose Russian Shopping Mall and amusement center in Kemerovo, Siberia.

Messages of desperation posted on twitter from those trapped inside the blaze are haunting in their finality. A Russian girl, Maria trapped in the fire sent our this horrifying message, "We are burning, maybe bye forever." Maria hasn't been found yet.

The Winter Cherry complex, a sprawling multi-story mega mall and amusement center, which opened in 2013, housed several theaters, restaurants, a bowling alley, sauna, a children's play area and a 200 animal indoor petting zoo, was one of the main entertainment facilities in the region.

With the blaze beginning Sunday afternoon, nearly 15 hours ago, the exact information is still difficult to determine. Reuters reported at least 37 dead, 69 missing, including 40 children. Fire started in play area, children were left unattended, Mall had no fire alarms or loudspeaker for warnings.

Local media paint a much different and harsher picture pushing the death toll closer to 170 as pictures of the body bags are piling up in the Mall's parking area and surfacing on social media.

English Russia @ EnglishRussia1 posted on twitter "Over 70 dead, two firemen on duty died and 200 animals burned inside the cages in a petting zoo inside the mall."

Sections of the roof were seen to collapsed as plumes of smoke billowed out blanketing the city in ash and acrid smell of burning flesh and death.

Kemerovo, which is about 2200 miles from Moscow, and located in the Siberian region, is a coal producing region. causing mass hysteria and panic

Russian state television at the time of the fire was in the middle of live debate on the strength of the Soviet Union and wouldn't interrupt the programming for news updates.

For more information on President Donald Trump: www.whitehouse.gov

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com